What a Doll - Defending A Style Icon

Am I the only woman who was not traumatized by Barbie?  My dad bought me Barbie and Midge for Christmas when I was eight.  The dolls were the Fashion Queen models that came with a set of three wigs that could be styled according to their moods, outfits or personas.  They arrived in a big ol’ red vinyl case with storage for dozens of glamorous outfits that could have come straight from the pages of Vogue:  strapless stain jumpsuits, bolero jackets, peplum skirts, classic sheath dresses, slim velvet pants, sweaters with angora collars, cork wedgies. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Barbie as she was--a fashion icon for the playground set.  For my friends and me the Barbie scenario was always about getting dressed for a special event.  Choosing the right outfit for the matinee or the dinner party.  My dolls didn’t have poufy wedding gowns, but they had plenty of dresses to wear to work. 

Barbie was never my body ideal because she didn’t look like me.  I wasn’t stupid--Barbie was a grown up, I was a little kid.  She was white, I am black.  Besides, my childhood role model was my mother.  She was pretty and had lots of cool clothes and accessories.  A hunk of molded plastic was simply a way to pass time. 

I don’t get the anti-Barbie rant.  If a young girl’s identity is wrapped up in a hunk of plastic you need to ask what kind of relationships are being forged among the women in that family.  Are they demonstrating strong identity and self worth to the daughters?  Look closely at your family’s values for women and the powerful messages that are being communicated everyday.  If the girls in your family, in your acquaintance, in your charge, put more stock into a toy to craft their identities don’t rant and point fingers at the toymaker.  Check yourself and the messages that you send about being a woman. 

Barbie was fun, but her life wasn’t real.  Set a better example!

Photo from www.fashion-doll-guide.com

Hot, Hot, Hot

We’re baking, frying, panting, sweating, dripping.  Moving more slowly, loathe to leave cool comfortable cars and cribs.  Cocooning in the air conditioning.  Idling with iced drinks.

On a two- or three-shower day why would anyone drape their bodies with anything that isn’t absolutely necessary?  Young fashion victims are stomping around town in calf-high Frye engineer or Tony Lama cowboy boots and barely there lace sundresses.  You cannot convince me that their sweaty little feet and ankles prefer that style in this satanic heat.  House plants will wilt when they take off those bad boys.

Leggings under dresses?  It’s a great look that I often sport on casual days but it looks downright dumb on a 100 degree afternoon.  It’s one more article of clothing that I don’t want sticking to me.  I don’t want to feel like a picnic leftover swaddled in Saran Wrap.

I’m equally puzzled over the head wrap under the wide brimmed hat.  The head wrap is a great look, a head turning statement for individuality.  The wide brimmed hat is a perfect way to keep harmful UV rays off your beautiful face.  It can be very Audrey@Tiffany’s.  I’ve seen a few fashionistas rock the hat with a fabulous faux jeweled hat pin.  Glamour!  But I don’t get the combination of the two on a sweltering day.  How hot do you want to be?  Just how bad is your bad hair day?

Which leads me to one of my favorite rants--the weave!  Come on sistas!  Give it a rest!  Rows and rows of extra hair sewn in or glued to your existing hair--how hot are those extra layers?  How much more does your head weigh?  Can you take a cooling dip in the pool or are you afraid of dunking your ‘do?  Think about taking a break for the summer.  Liberate yourself!  Remember how carefree you were as a kid in the summertime with your hair pulled back in plaits, cornrows or afro puffs?  You’ll be surprised at how good natural hair can look and feel even now. 

Right now the imperative is to look and feel cool.  Strip it down to the basics--lacy lingerie, cool little dresses (you can find plenty of adorable sundresses on sale right now as the stores clear out summer wear in preparation for Fall), and strappy sandals.

This heat wave will pass.  Before you know it, you’ll be shoveling the walkway and grumbling about the latest arctic blast.  Remember, as hot as it is right now, you can remain chic and graceful.  Just leave the boots in the back of the closet until September.

Senior-itis!

When I’m 77 I’ll be sassy and classy.  I’ll be stylin’ something fierce, like my great aunt Lucile.  Elegant like Bacall and Horne, ravishing like Kitt.  Eccentric, wearing whatever the moon dictates.  Colorful, crazy.  Outfitted in urban black accented with swaths of Ruby Tuesday red, Baby Boy blue and Sunshine Superman yellow.  Jangling in mom’s brassy bracelets and ropes of faux pearls.  Rocking a cap of cropped glacier-white hair.

Found this cool blog that shows me how to do it.  Check out these pics of free-wheelin' and fabulous folks over 60!!  Show it to your mom, your flirty Uncle Jack.  Follow these examples and keep your future as fierce as your present.  When I'm 77 I'll show everyone how it's done; the path has already been placed before me.  Orthopedic Chuck Taylors will carry me down that path.

Photo of Iris Apfel courtesy of sfgirlsbay.blogspot.com

A Whiter Shade of Jean

White jeans, the ultimate symbol of summer, are everywhere right now.  I love them--they bring to mind sunny beaches, outdoor concerts at dusk, dining at sidewalk cafes in the city.  Everyone can look cool and stylish in them, but watch those grass stains.  And be careful with that glass of red sangria!

Styles range from simple and skinny to washed and distressed, and can be found at almost any price from bargain priced Old Navy ($15) to the more extravagantly priced True Religion ($275). In between are brands such as 7 for all Mankind ($149), Easy Money ($98), Rock and Republic ($158), and Levi's 542 ($32.99).

Accustomed to the slimming effect of dark wash?  Concerned about fit?  Check out this great guide to finding your perfect look.  And for extra panache, wear the jeans in the fall.

Photo courtesy of thefashionpolice.net.

Firenze Fantasies

No doubt I'm going back to Florence.  I was there for an unfortunately abbreviated visit in 2008 and fell in love with the Renaissance city.  It is rich with some of Italy's best and most popular museums, breathtaking cathedrals, and elegant shops.

A friend recently traveled to Florence and reminded me of another reason to start planning my return--unspeakably gorgeous leather goods.  Check out her colorful pics of shop windows and remind me to keep my passport updated!